Pretrial Transitional Housing and Case Management Agreement

Recommended Action:

A)  Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute a professional services agreement with Interfaith Shelter Network, Inc. (IFSN) for the initial term December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2027, in the amount of $2,105,870, and to execute up to two one-year renewal options for a maximum five-year agreement value of $3,691,122 in addition to amendments that do not exceed $50,000 per year or otherwise substantively change agreement.  

B)  Authorize the Chief Probation officer to retroactively amend the current agreement expiring 11/30/24 with Interfaith Shelter Network by $135,000 for a maximum five-year value of $2,235,000. 

Executive Summary:

The Probation Department requests Board approval to execute a professional services agreement with IFSN to provide services for individuals on pretrial release who are homeless and have mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorder.  Such individuals pose difficult challenges to the courts because while the crimes for which individuals are charged might not warrant incarceration while awaiting trial, their mental health and living conditions increase their likelihood of committing new crimes, failing to appear in court, causing harm to themselves, or being victimized in the community.  To reduce these risks, courts may require such individuals to remain incarcerated until adjudication.  The continuing services proposed under this agreement provide the courts a viable alternative to incarceration whereby individuals on pretrial release can remain safely in the community and receive supportive housing and intensive case management.  Overall program goals are to reduce unnecessary incarceration and associated costs, provide treatment and services to improve outcomes of justice system-involved individuals, and increase public safety.

Additionally, the Probation Department requests a retroactive increase of $135,000, bringing the 5-year maximum agreement value to $2,235,000. When the contract was originally prepared  in 2019, inflation was estimated to be 3 percent per year. However, the CA Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers has averaged 4 percent per year for the past 5 years. In addition, rent, utility, insurance, and living wage increases have contributed to the increase. These updated costs have been programmed into the agreements and contracts within the Community Corrections Partnership’s FY 24-25 budget.

The Sonoma County Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) and Measure O allocate funding for this program and have approved the FY 24-25 expenses.  Future funding will depend upon continued CCP approval and Measure O funding.

Discussion:

Background

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice released a competitive grant for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP).  Sonoma County was awarded $250,000 for a three-year project to improve public safety and serve individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorder who encounter the justice system.  This grant continued through September 30, 2020 and was expanded upon in 2018 with an additional $750,000 award.

In FY 21-22, upon exhaustion of JMHCP funds, Probation requested partial year funding from the CCP to continue housing and case management for mentally ill individuals on pretrial release.  In FY 22-23, CCP funding was expanded to cover the full year and combined with Health Services allocation of Measure O funds for case management.  The CCP and Measure O have continued to fund pretrial housing and case management, and the CCP has allocated funding for this program as part of FY 24-25 expenses.  Future funding will depend upon continued CCP and Measure O approval.

Request for Proposals

The Probation Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) announcement in August 2024, which was distributed to 714 suppliers as well as 2,200 notifications to subscribers on Purchasing’s RFP posting list.  The RFP sought proposals from organizations that could provide eight or more supportive housing beds along with case management services to individuals with mental illness on pretrial release.  Additionally, the RFP requested an array of supportive services to help individuals on pretrial release stabilize their lives, such as permanent housing assistance, enrollment in health care, and job search assistance.  Finally, the RFP required that the successful organization develop a quality assurance and outcome reporting plan to ensure high service standards and to help stakeholders determine program performance.

Sonoma County received proposals from IFSN and Committee on the Shelterless (COTS).  A panel of representatives from the Probation Department and the Department of Health Services rated the proposals using clear criteria such as qualifications and experience, staffing, program services, and cost of service. 

While both IFSN and COTS presented viable programs, the panel rated IFSN more highly based on the alignment of program services offered with the County’s needs, the ability to provide uninterrupted services, and the cost to provide services.  Additionally, the COTS proposal included community-based case management only, while IFSN offers transitional housing, case management for house occupants, as well as community-based case management.

Based on its proposal review, the panel recommends awarding supportive housing and case management services to IFSN.

Program and Scope Overview

Housing:  The program will provide an eight-bed housing facility, which has averaged 91 percent occupancy for the last 12 months, and support individuals with mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorder maintain stability on pretrial release and achieve better outcomes.  Desired outcomes include participants not committing new offenses, making their court appearances, and complying with court orders, and, post-adjudication, being better prepared to live successfully in the community.  The broader goals are to enhance public safety, rehabilitate individuals in the criminal justice system, and reduce unnecessary incarceration.

Case Management:  A case manager working outside the jail will support participants during the pretrial process, including accompanying them to court.  This case manager will work closely with a case manager in the jail to ensure that information regarding participant needs is included in the planning process, and that those selected for the program benefit from a warm handoff and avoid service gaps.  Additionally, a case manager will work on site at the supportive house to help participants connect with stabilization services, obtain medication, address health issues, and other related activities.

Quality Assurance:  IFSN will collaborate with the Probation Department to develop and implement quality assurance and data collection plans to ensure high-quality program implementation and allow the Probation Department to evaluate program performance. 

Conclusion

This program intends to promote public safety, improve outcomes, and reduce costs for justice-system-involved individuals with mental illness.  Commonly, this population ineffectively-and expensively-accesses multiple community services, including police and fire first responders, hospital emergency departments, mental health crisis services, and jails.  Most treatment is short-term and non-rehabilitative, resulting in repeated cycles through these services.  By providing stable housing, intensive case management, and 24-hour monitoring, this program intends to break the cycle.